Jose Perez Hints at Returning to Mountaineers Next Season

West Virginia guard Jose Perez hinted at returning to WVU next season on social media Thursday morning. Perez’s appeal to play this season was denied by the NCAA but is eligible for the 2023-24 season.

“Morgantown one more year wouldn’t hurt?,” Perez said.

Morgantown one more year wouldn’t hurt ? 🤷‍♂️💔

— Jose Perez (@showout_zayy0) January 12, 2023

Perez committed to WVU in late October after his head coach Steve Masiello was dismissed at Manhattan. West Virginia got in contact with Perez just hours after his transfer portal entry and landed a commitment from him five days later. Perez enrolled for WVU’s spring semester in mid-November but was not allowed to practice with the team until Dec. 17.

“Extremely unfortunate. I’m probably going to get in trouble for saying it but they don’t know what the hell they’re doing. I’m against anything that hurts young people,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said.

“I’m against anything that takes away a chance for a young person to succeed in life. This guy is a good student, he’s a good kid.”

Bock: NCAA Made Example Out of Jose Perez, West Virginia

Perez spent the last season at Manhattan, averaging 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The guard shot 40 percent from the field, 26 percent from three and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Before his time at Manhattan, Perez played for Gardner-Webb and Marquette.